Moghalu challenges Tinubu’s stance on constitutional reform

Kingsley Moghalu, a former presidential candidate and member of The Patriots group, publicly disagreed on Monday with President Bola Tinubu’s focus on economic reform over constitutional changes.

The Patriots, led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, had met with Tinubu to push for a new constitution, emphasizing the urgency of this reform.

However, Tinubu maintained that economic issues were his immediate priority.

Moghalu, in a post on X, argued that true economic transformation in Nigeria is deeply tied to constitutional reform.

He stated that it would be “almost impossible” to address the country’s economic challenges without a new constitution based on real federalism and a regional structure.

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He acknowledged that Tinubu received The Patriots with respect but emphasized that without a fundamental restructuring through constitutional changes, economic recovery would remain elusive.

Moghalu’s remarks underscore the ongoing debate on the need for structural reform to address Nigeria’s economic difficulties.

“While PBAT received the eminent elder statesman and his colleagues with the appropriate dignity and protocols (“this is a group I cannot ignore”, Tinubu noted), the President asserted that economic reform (and the crisis that it has created in the country) is his priority right now, but that his government would of course study the recommendations of The Patriots and respond (hopefully with action and not merely words).”

He added that it would be almost impossible to bring a fundamental fix to Nigeria’s economy in the absence of a new constitution.

He stated, “What Nigeria’s leaders fail to understand is that it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to bring a fundamental fix to Nigeria’s economy in the absence of a new constitution that is anchored on real federalism, and preferably anchored on a regional structure of 6-12 regions.”

Moghalu‘s statement highlights the ongoing debate on Nigeria’s constitutional reform and its impact on the country’s economic development. The Patriots push for a new constitution has sparked discussions on the need for structural changes to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.